Hebrews 13:14 says, “For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come”…

South Florida is a beautiful place. It is full of sunshine, palm trees, beaches, nightlife, and culture. But our city also has a dark underbelly. Our city is full of injustice, brokenness, addiction, greed and darkness.

Because of this, Christians have tended towards several errors:

Error 1: Unplugging from the culture and waiting for heaven. This world is going to hell in a hand-basket, so let’s just wait for Jesus to come back. (But the Bible doesn’t actually teach this.)

Error 2: Misunderstanding the afterlife. We’ll all be souls floating around in clouds, and that doesn’t have much to do with our present physical world, so this world doesn’t matter. (But the Bible doesn’t actually teach this.)

Error 3: Getting sucked into the culture. The afterlife doesn’t have much to do with what I’m experiencing right here and right now, so rather than longing for more, I’m going to try and satisfy my longings with what this world has to offer me. (The Bible doesn’t actually teach this.)

The book of Revelation presents visions of a King and His kingdom, the Lord Jesus and His heavenly city, the new Jerusalem. Far from being a weird book meant to scare Christians, it is intended to bring hope and stir longing for believers who are struggling to endure living in the present world.

We are called to live as citizens of God’s kingdom here in our city, living loyally to King Jesus and sharing His Good News. Like the ancient Israelites in Babylon, we are to seek the well-being of our current city. But we do so with a clear picture of hope in a heavenly city.

Our October series, “RENEWED PEOPLE | NEW CITY”, will be about growing hope and stirring up longing in your heart for your eternal destiny in an eternal city with an eternal God. As hope grows, you’ll find fresh power to stay loyal to Jesus and his Good News. As longing is stirred, you’ll find that you’re able to re-engage our broken city with God’s redemptive purpose.